Review – Wild at Whiskey Creek (Hellcat Canyon #2) by Julie Anne Long

Everyone knows the Greenleaf family puts the “Hell” in Hellcat Canyon—legend has it the only way they ever leave is in a cop car or a casket. But Glory Greenleaf has a different getaway vehicle in mind: her guitar. She has a Texas-sized talent and the ambition (and attitude) to match, but only two people have ever believed in her: her brother, who’s in jail, and his best friend . . . who put him there.

Sheriff Eli Barlow has secretly been in love with Glory since he was twelve years old. Which is how he knows her head is as hard as her heart is soft—and why she can’t forgive him for fracturing her family . . . or forget that night they surrendered to an explosive, long-simmering passion. But when a betrayal threatens Glory’s big break, Eli will risk everything to make it right . . . because the best way to love the girl from Whiskey Creek might mean setting her free forever.

I received this book for free from the Publisher or Author in exchange for an honest review, or I purchased it with my own funds. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

I really liked Hot in Hellcat Canyon. I loved Wild At Whiskey Creek. Julie Anne Long’s writing is refreshing and different and her characters are so well defined. I loved Glory and Eli. In any well written romance novel, you want to see the hero and heroine get through their issues and find their happily ever after but I cared so much more about these two. It was agony watching them let their fear prevent them from being together. Because Eli cares so much for Glory, his fear is not of rejection as much as the concern that she’ll never become the star she’s meant to be if she’s with him. He keeps his distance for mainly altruistic reasons. What an awesome man! Glory is amazingly good at taking on her fears of performing live and attempting to make her mark in the music industry. I remembered Britt pointing out her shaking hands when she performed in Hot in Hellcat Canyon. She may look like the consummate pro to the casual observer with her witty banter with the audience and her beautiful music but she’s terrified on stage. Her genius is that she’s able to put herself out there anyway.

When Eli and Glory finally get together the attraction that’s been smoldering the entire book combusts in the hottest way. Both have an opportunity for career advancement that they put aside because of their concern for the other proving the depths of their love.

I kept sneaking time with the book – at the doctor, at my office desk. The scene with the gnomes had me laughing so hard I was afraid of the boss wandering by and figuring out I wasn’t working. It was pure writing genius that I now want to make happen in my yard!